Schlitterbahn to open Corpus Christi park in July

Updated 8:04 pm, Monday, June 9, 2014

Schlitterbahn, Texas' favorite water park resort, opened in New Braunfels in 1979. See how the waterpark has changed in the 35 years since with these fun facts about the park and its history. less

35 things you probably didn't know about Schlitterbahn

Schlitterbahn, Texas' favorite water park resort, opened in New Braunfels in 1979. See how the waterpark has changed in the 35 years since with these fun ... more

Photo: Www.mikiefarias.com

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In 1979, with pet rocks and mood rings all the rage, Schlitterbahn opened with 20 lifeguards and four water slides.

In 1979, with pet rocks and mood rings all the rage, Schlitterbahn opened with 20 lifeguards and four water slides.

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The name Schlitterbahn is a combination of the German words "schlitter," meaning "slippery," AND "bahn," meaning "road," and was intended as a nod to the German heritage of its host city New Braunfels.

The name Schlitterbahn is a combination of the German words "schlitter," meaning "slippery," AND "bahn," meaning "road," and was intended as a nod to the German heritage of its host city New Braunfels.

Photo: Harrison

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For the first time in 1995, the park became the most popular seasonal waterpark in the nation, with attendance surpassing all other summer waterparks for the first time. (Schlitterbahn is still the country’s top-attended seasonal waterpark!) less

For the first time in 1995, the park became the most popular seasonal waterpark in the nation, with attendance surpassing all other summer waterparks for the first time. (Schlitterbahn is still the country’s ... more

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One half of the park uses classic black tubes that come in a variety of sizes. However chlorine does not play well with the classic black tubes, on that side of the park the tubes are made of a different material and are clear. less

One half of the park uses classic black tubes that come in a variety of sizes. However chlorine does not play well with the classic black tubes, on that side of the park the tubes are made of a different ... more

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You'd think moving 36,000 gallons of water per minute would take the most modern of technology. However, Schlitterbahn uses one of the oldest architectural tools, an Archimedes screw (see the blue screw to the left in the photo above) to get the job done. The device was invented in the Third Century B.C. and uses the screws twisting action to move the water uphill like a conveyor belt. less

You'd think moving 36,000 gallons of water per minute would take the most modern of technology. However, Schlitterbahn uses one of the oldest architectural tools, an Archimedes screw (see the blue screw to the ... more

Schlitterbahn can be a busy place during the summer, however for an extra $17 fee, visitors can enter the the park early at the Blastenhoff beach and get a jump start on the crowds.

Schlitterbahn can be a busy place during the summer, however for an extra $17 fee, visitors can enter the the park early at the Blastenhoff beach and get a jump start on the crowds.

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Inland surfing was invented at Schlitterbahn, the Boogie Bahn is one of the most popular areas at the park and is the one water ride you can get better at over time.

Inland surfing was invented at Schlitterbahn, the Boogie Bahn is one of the most popular areas at the park and is the one water ride you can get better at over time.

Photo: Mikiefarias

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Schlitterbahn's signature Blastenhoff section was built in 1996 on the grounds of Camp Warnecke.

Schlitterbahn's signature Blastenhoff section was built in 1996 on the grounds of Camp Warnecke.

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The New Braunfels park originally featured only four waterslides.

The New Braunfels park originally featured only four waterslides.

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Schlitterbahn took the Loblolly pines from the Bastrop wildfire and repurposed them into furniture, paneling, and cabanas at every single Schlitterbahn. This reclaimed wood saved the community considerable expense and allowed this Texas forest to be have a second life everywhere from South Padre to Kansas City. The pines had been destined to be turned into mulch. less

Schlitterbahn took the Loblolly pines from the Bastrop wildfire and repurposed them into furniture, paneling, and cabanas at every single Schlitterbahn. This reclaimed wood saved the community considerable ... more

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Schlitterbahn opens its newest waterpark and resort in Corpus Christi in Summer 2014. The new site will include a Torrent Tidal Wave River, a river system that allows guests to float along a wave-filled river; swim-up bars; beaches; and of course, a Boogie Bahn, the world’s best inland surfing ride; as well as on-site lodging. less

Schlitterbahn opens its newest waterpark and resort in Corpus Christi in Summer 2014. The new site will include a Torrent Tidal Wave River, a river system that allows guests to float along a wave-filled river; ... more

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One half of the park uses classic black tubes that come in a variety of sizes. However chlorine does not play well with the classic black tubes, on that side of the park the tubes are made of a different material and are clear. less

One half of the park uses classic black tubes that come in a variety of sizes. However chlorine does not play well with the classic black tubes, on that side of the park the tubes are made of a different ... more

Photo: Wendi Poole

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Schlitterbahn has a three-story Christmas Shoppe that's open year-round. The New Braunfels location also celebrates the yuletide season with the Hill Country Christmas featuring one million lights, ice skating, more than 50 light sculptures, three shows and a train display. less

Schlitterbahn has a three-story Christmas Shoppe that's open year-round. The New Braunfels location also celebrates the yuletide season with the Hill Country Christmas featuring one million lights, ice skating, ... more

Photo: PeskyMonkey, Getty Images

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Schlitterbahn reclaims 96-98% of the water it uses and utilizes sophisticated filtration systems to ensure water quality.

Schlitterbahn reclaims 96-98% of the water it uses and utilizes sophisticated filtration systems to ensure water quality.

Photo: Www.mikiefarias.com

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Unlike many other theme parks, visitors at Schlitterbahn are allowed to bring in their own outside food and drinks.

Unlike many other theme parks, visitors at Schlitterbahn are allowed to bring in their own outside food and drinks.

Photo: Harrison, Copyright: Heather Harrison Photography

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The Dragon's Revenge was the world's first uphill water coaster ride.

The Dragon's Revenge was the world's first uphill water coaster ride.

Photo: Matthew Chase

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Schlitterbahn opened it's second park in 2001 on South Padre Island. he park featured the then-new Transportainment river system to help visitors relax as they moved around the park.

Schlitterbahn opened it's second park in 2001 on South Padre Island. he park featured the then-new Transportainment river system to help visitors relax as they moved around the park.

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Schlitterbahn uses parts from the decommissioned USS General John Pope, a US Navy troop transport used in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The ship had been launched in 1943 and ended up in Brownsville, Texas for dismantling. You can see life boats and cots used as shade structures throughout the park.
Pope, seen above, was a Union general in the American Civil War. He was given command of the Army of Virginia in 1862. He was relieved of his command after suffering a heavy defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August of that year. less

Schlitterbahn uses parts from the decommissioned USS General John Pope, a US Navy troop transport used in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The ship had been launched in 1943 and ended up in ... more

Photo: Print Collector, Print Collector/Getty Images

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Schlitterbahn celebrated its 20th anniversary with the addition of Han’s Hideout, a five-story water fun house, at Blastenhoff.

Schlitterbahn celebrated its 20th anniversary with the addition of Han’s Hideout, a five-story water fun house, at Blastenhoff.

Photo: Www.mikiefarias.com

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The 17-story Verrückt waterslide will debut at the Kansas City, Kan. Schlitterbahn park in Summer 2014. Built in New Braunfels, the slide will be the world's tallest.

The 17-story Verrückt waterslide will debut at the Kansas City, Kan. Schlitterbahn park in Summer 2014. Built in New Braunfels, the slide will be the world's tallest.

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The Master Blaster has been named the world’s best water slide more than any other waterslide in the world (11 times and counting). It’s 6 stories tall with a 3 story drop – and blast up 3 stories. Over 1,000 feet long. less

The Master Blaster has been named the world’s best water slide more than any other waterslide in the world (11 times and counting). It’s 6 stories tall with a 3 story drop – and blast up 3 stories. Over ... more

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The 65-foot Master Blaster at Schlitterbahn has two separate plunges of 30 feet.

The 65-foot Master Blaster at Schlitterbahn has two separate plunges of 30 feet.

Photo: Matthew Chase

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Riverbahn is one of the little known rides at Schlitterbahn – you can ask for a tube and tube down the Comal River, exiting at the Tubenback area.

Riverbahn is one of the little known rides at Schlitterbahn – you can ask for a tube and tube down the Comal River, exiting at the Tubenback area.

Photo: Harrison

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Though not open every day, the Schlitterbahn park on South Padre Island is open 12 months out of the year thanks to its heated indoor pools. The Galveston location seen here is open part of every month but February. less

Though not open every day, the Schlitterbahn park on South Padre Island is open 12 months out of the year thanks to its heated indoor pools. The Galveston location seen here is open part of every month but ... more

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The Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark was the first Schlitterbahn park built outside of Texas. It opened in 2009.

The Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark was the first Schlitterbahn park built outside of Texas. It opened in 2009.

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The 26-acre Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark opened in 2006. It has since been voted the World’s Best Indoor Waterpark six straight years.

The 26-acre Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark opened in 2006. It has since been voted the World’s Best Indoor Waterpark six straight years.

Photo: Wendi Poole

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The New Braunfels park has been recognized as the World’s Best Waterpark, winning Amusement Today’s
prestigious Golden Ticket Award for 15 consecutive years.

The New Braunfels park has been recognized as the World’s Best Waterpark, winning Amusement Today’s
prestigious Golden Ticket Award for 15 consecutive years.

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Schlitterbahn still uses water from the Comal in half of the park, the other half uses chlorinated water.

Schlitterbahn still uses water from the Comal in half of the park, the other half uses chlorinated water.

Photo: Www.mikiefarias.com

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Schlitterbahn's first tubing feature, the Hillside Tube Chutes, weren't introduced in the park's inaugural year. They came one year later in 1980.

Schlitterbahn's first tubing feature, the Hillside Tube Chutes, weren't introduced in the park's inaugural year. They came one year later in 1980.

Photo: Harrison

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Schlitterbahn is still family-owned by the Henry clan, which first conceived of the park in 1966.

Schlitterbahn is still family-owned by the Henry clan, which first conceived of the park in 1966.

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If all the tubes at every Schlitterbahn were placed side by side, you’d be jumping from tube to tube for eight miles.

If all the tubes at every Schlitterbahn were placed side by side, you’d be jumping from tube to tube for eight miles.

Photo: Harrison

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Schlitterbahn to open Corpus Christi park in July

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SAN ANTONIO — Summer vacationers can look forward to a new Schlitterbahn in Corpus Christi, opening July 15.

The park will contain a 2-mile-long torrent river, two to three uphill water coasters, three kids' areas, a Boogie Bahn, a heated pool with a swim up bar and Shoot the Chute, the company's first hard-park ride in any park. Shoot the Chute is modeled after a log ride, where the car takes riders up a hill and down into a splash zone.

Lodging also is incorporated with the park, and around 35 rooms will open July 15. Eventually, the park will have more than 80 rooms total. Rooms range from double queen to suites, but prices are not confirmed.

Attached to the lodging area is an event center with multiple rooms to hold concerts, weddings and parties. Also on-site is a Mexican restaurant, named Fajita, which will remain open yearlong.

Winter Prosapio, corporate director of communications and government relations at Schlitterbahn, said the park, located at 14353 Commodores Drive in North Padre Island, will have a Hill Country feel to it. She added the park will be decorated with handcrafted art to make the park feel warm, open, inviting and “at one with nature.”

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“This one will really feel like elements of the Hill Country suddenly landed in beach country,” Prosapio said.

She said each Schlitterbahn park differs from one another. For example, the park in South Padre Island is beach oriented and Galveston's park has an urban feel.

“They all reflect their communities in one way or another,” she said.

The park is 61 acres and is one of the larger parks in terms of acreage, but is similar in content to the South Padre Island park, but ride designs are not the same.

“We don't make cookie-cutter parks,” Prosapio said.

A park was planned in Corpus Christi because Schlitterbahn's founder, Bob Henry, always wanted a park in that city, which attracts a lot of people in the summer, Prosapio said. Construction began Feb. 14, 2013.

Water park Hours are unconfirmed, but Prosapio said typical hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. everyday until Labor Day weekend. After Labor Day weekend, the park is only open on weekends.

Season passes and tickets have not gone on sale.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts, based in New Braunfels, also has a park in Kansas City, Kansas.

rsalinas@mysa.com

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